Carnival – Arrastapes no Morro portrays a Brazilian couple immersed in the intensity of the Carnival celebrations. Filled with movement, colour and rhythm, the scene evokes not only a popular celebration but also the artist’s deep connection with Brazil, the country where he lived for almost two decades. Here, the palette-knife technique is used with great energy, reflecting the vibrancy, sensuality and physical closeness characteristic of Rio’s Carnival, particularly in the morros, where the festivities are experienced with a raw and deeply authentic intensity.
The work is not an outsider’s view, but a lived experience. Espona himself settled in São Paulo after leaving Spain — his native Barcelona — in the 1950s. Although he had trained in law, he initially had to work as a carpenter due to the immigration restrictions of the time. This life experience deeply shaped his vision of the world and his social sensitivity, which can be seen in many of his figurative works.
This painting is more than a festive scene: it is an affectionate memory, a sincere tribute to a country that left a lasting mark on the artist’s life and work.
"A Brazilian couple in the midst of the Carnival celebrations.
This oil painting holds a special significance for Espona, as he lived in São Paulo, Brazil, for almost 20 years.
He left Spain, Barcelona, in the 1950s. Although he had been practising law at Banco Popular Español, due to the immigration procedures and requirements of the time, he entered the country as a carpenter.
For this reason, we can say that the experience was truly felt and lived with great intensity."
V. de Espona